Among the delights of the New York City Marathon is its democratizing effect, as New Yorkers and far-flung visitors run alongside professional athletes and celebrities.
“Everyone is on the same team on marathon Sunday,” said Zac Clark, a former “Bachelorette” contestant who is running for the eighth time on behalf of Release Recovery. Matt James, a former star of “The Bachelor,” will also return.
A handful of Hollywood actors are making their marathon debuts, including Ashton Kutcher, in support of his charity organization, Thorn, and Ellie Kemper, known for “The Office,” who is running to raise funds for The Brotherhood Sister Sol.
Lauren Ridloff, a star of “The Walking Dead” and the film “Eternals,” is running her first marathon in support of P.S. 347, a New York City public school where she used to teach.
In an interview from the school on Wednesday with an American Sign Language interpreter, Ridloff predicted Mile 19, where P.S. 347 and Brooks are hosting an ASL cheering section, would be her happiest mile. “That will feed me and nourish me before I go into the 20th mile,” she said, “and I’ve heard things about the 20th mile,” which weaves into the Bronx.
Like Clark, Tiki Barber, the former New York Giants running back, will continue a streak by returning for his eighth race.
Meghan Duggan, a hockey Olympic gold medalist and the director of player development for the New Jersey Devils, is running her first marathon in support of the Women’s Sports Foundation. “Hockey players aren’t meant to be runners,” she said, but added she’ll bring the mental fortitude of competing as an elite athlete to the race.
Some familiar television anchors and personalities are taking on the marathon, including T.J. Holmes, from the third hour of ABC’s “Good Morning America,” and his co-host, Amy Robach, who encouraged him, or peer-pressured him, to participate, depending on whom you ask.
Nev Schulman, a producer and host for MTV, said committing to distance running in the past year has given him a way to expand his identity beyond being known as “the Catfish guy.” Sunday marks his seventh marathon, but his first as a sponsored Under Armour athlete, running with the intention to set a new personal record. “It’s a new chapter for me,” he said.
Another goal? “I’m hopeful that this is probably my only chance to beat Ashton Kutcher at anything,” Schulman added.